CHEFS Chris Neary, left, and Michael Ty of the American Culinary Federation served some delicious fare to the attendees.

SBA is a cash flow lender, and many eyes will take a look at the application in Dallas, TX. Not everyone will qualify, and for those individuals, SBA will veer them back to FEMA’s programs, where the grant dollars are. “If you get an SBA application in the mail,” said Dawson, “you must complete that application.” Loans, he said, can be up to 30 years and as low as 1.68 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profits, or 4 percent for businesses. “Don’t disqualify yourself by not appliying ... your situation is not the same as the person sitting across from you.” He also warned against scammers, people who are ready to “beat you up more than you already are.”

FEMA rep Floyd Johnson also spoke to the crowd. “I’ve been imbedded [here] since the beginning,” he said. “I am your ears and eyes ... it can go right up to the President ... you are being heard.”

He also talked about the agency’s new STEP program that will held homeowners make temporary repairs so that their home is livable.

Those interested in registering with FEMA can do so within 60 days of the declaration, which would be Dec. 31.